Mouth-harmonica.



M; HOHNER.

MOUTH HARMONICA.

APPLIOATION FILED 11111220, 1911.

1,009,904. I Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHIAS HOHNER, OF TROSSIGEN, GERMANY.

MOUTH-HARMONICA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

Application filed June 20, 1911. Serial No. 634,247.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHIAS HOHNER, a citizen of the German Empire, residing at Trossigen, WViirtemberg, Germany, have invented a new and Improved Mouth-Harmonica, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved mouth harmonica of the class provided with twin cells, and more particularly to improved means for covering that part of the wooden cell block or plate that is brought into contact with the players lips. In this way swelling of such plate is prevented and a smooth working surface obtained.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mouth harmonica embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the cell block; Fig. 3 an enlarged cross section on line 33, Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 a plan of the blank for the covering strip.

The harmonica is composed as usual of a central cell block or plate 10, flanked by reed plates 11 which in turn carry the covers 12. Plate 10 is made of wood and provided with a central longitudinal partition 13, and a plurality of transverse ribs 14 extending from opposite sides thereof. Ribs 14 on one side of the partition are alined with the corresponding ribs on the other side, so that there are formed on opposite sides of partition 13 a series of twin cells 15 that constitute the wind chambers for actuating the reeds.

In order to cover and protect the upper or working edge of partition 13 and ribs 14, there extends over the same a fixed continuous metal strip 16. This strip overlies partition 13 and terminates at 16*, 2'. e. at the junction between the said partition and the solid end sections of cell block 10. Strip 16 is provided on each side with a plurality of spaced laterally extending arms 17 that overlie ribs 14. Each arm 17 is bent downwardly at its end to form a hook 18 that is pressed into the upright edge of its rib 14 and thus anchors strip 16 to plate 10.

Intermediate arms 17, there depend from strip 16, a plurality of wings 19 that extend downwardly along and closely hug the sides of partition 13 intermediate ribs 14. The blank for forming strip 16 is as illustrated in Fig. 4, provided at each side with a number of slits 20, so spaced as to form the arms 17 and wings 19. In applying the strip, the arms are made to register wit-h ribs 14, and are bent down along the same to form the hooks 18, while wings 19 are bent against the sides of partition 13.

It will be seen that by the construction described, the entire surface of the cell plate which is brought into contact with the lips of the player is effectively covered up, so that it is protected against moisture, while a smooth working edge is insured. At the same time all of the cells remain permanently uncovered, so as to be receptive for the players breath.

I claim:

1. A mouth harmonica provided with a wooden cell plate having a longitudinal partition and laterally extending ribs to form intervening cells, and a sheet metal strip immovably secured to the plate and extending over the same while leaving the mouths of all the cells permanently exposed.

2. A month harmonica provided with a wooden cell plate having a longitudinal partition and laterally extending ribs to form intervening cells, and a sheet metal strip immovably secured to the working edge of the plate and having laterally projecting arms extending over the ribs, said strip leaving the mouths of all the cells permanently exposed.

3. A mouth harmonica provided with a wooden cell plate having a longitudinal partition and laterally extending ribs, and a sheet metal strip extending over the partition and having laterally projecting arms that extend over the ribs and intervening wings that engage the sides of the partition intermediate the ribs.

4. A mouth harmonica provided with a wooden cell plate having a longitudinal partition and laterally extending ribs, and a sheet metal strip extending over the partition and having arms that extend over the ribs and intervening wings that engage the sides of the partition, said arms having hook-shaped ends to engage the upright edges of the ribs.

MATTHIAS HOHNER.

Witnesses:

HERMANN Winrm'ionrnn, KARL THEODORE JASPER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commiss oner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

